Zakiah was relieved as she felt now she could go on with her life. She hoped to seal the agreement as soon as possible so her husband will not change his mind when the time came. Her battle still goes on for the other files…as she hopes and prays. Court proceedings are still pending and she hopes and prays for a just solution.

 

Shoba Aiyar ▪ Social Worker

 

 

16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER VIOLENCE

Get The Knowledge, Get The Power, Keep The Promise

 

The campaign kicked off on 25th November 2005 at the Berjaya Times Square in conjunction with the annual global campaign. Joined by friends, affiliates and the media, each organization gave inspiring speeches on the issues of gender and violence against women.

The theme for the campaign was “Get the Power, Get the Knowledge, Keep the Promise.” The star attractions, amongst the strategically placed booths, were Noree, a young upcoming star who contributes regularly to WAO through a percentage from album sales, and Dina, first runner up of the first Malaysian Idol.

On 26^th November 2005, the collective traveled to Kinta City Shopping Centre, Ipoh. Starting set up at about 9 am, the event ran the whole day greeting warm crowds. A healthy mix of responses was received from the messages on the sandwich boards donned by the volunteers of the campaign. Some of brightly painted sandwich boards read, “Women are Social Subjects, not Sexual Objects”, “One Husband = One Wife” and “Don’t Turn A Blind Eye To Domestic Violence”.

 

On the 27th November 2005, Sisters In Islam and Women’s Aid Organization were back at Berjaya Times Square setting up information booths. The crowd, of families and young teenagers, were out on a Sunday afternoon stroll, allowing for a relaxed and nonchalant atmosphere. Though many were intrigued by stunts pulled by the volunteers lying on the floor, surrounded by sandwich boards or lining up wearing the sandwich boards, like at a protest!

 

Subang Parade was full of shoppers, perusing around the flea market outside MPH bookstore, and the16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence continued on the 3^rd December 2005. A loose coalition of artists joined the NGO stalls to paint a mural. Calling themselves KataGender, the collective works to promote social activism and ultimately create an alternative discourse around the issues of gender and sexuality using art as a tool. The mural painted bore the female gender sign, oceanic waves with a background of the sunset symbolizing the hope and struggle that women’s groups in facing the challenges brought upon by stereotyping sandwich board, and most were disagreeing! The antics from the days before played out as the volunteers donning sandwich boards lined up in protest and solidarity. The public were especially supportive and voiced that it should be extended to Seremban more often. Many enquiring after possible involvement opportunities with the NGOs marked the end of the 16 Days.